The Organizations

Introduction

Since 2002, the ITF has split into four major systems: ITF-C, ITF-V, ITF-NK, and UITF. Amongst these systems there are minimal differences allowing practitioners of one to switch systems with relative ease. This does not extend to the Kukkiwon however, which has different emphasis, philosophies, and technical names. Having said that, an ITF school will extend the courtesy of honouring a black belt rank from the Kukkiwon system, and vice versa.

In 1972, General Choi Hung Hi moved to Toronto, Canada making it the new home of the ITF Headquarters. This worked for awhile, but General Choi was isolated there with no major financial support. Canada being a low-density area, a more centrally located venue for the ITF headquarters was needed to be able to reach as many people as possible.

In the late 1970s, early 1980s, some changes were made to the pattern set and some fundamental technical approaches which precipitated philosophical conflicts and resulted in the departure of a number of Grand Masters from the ITF. Among them was was Grand Master Park Jung Tae who went on to set up his own Taekwon-Do system, the Global Taekwon-Do Federation (GTF). Meanwhile General Choi continued to successfully advance the ITF, spreading it around the world.

In 2001 General Choi's son, Master Choi Jung Hwa, was voted the successor to the ITF presidency, but the succession was subsequently overturned by General Choi. Believing himself to be the duly elected president, Master Choi Jung Hwa moves to Canada and sets up headquarters there. This ITF becomes known as ITF-C (for Canada).

In the meantime, General Choi is diagnosed with cancer. In his last Will & Testament, which he dictated in front of a number of his Grand Masters, he named Mr. Chang Ung the president of the ITF. Mr. Chang Ung was basketball player with no Taekwon-Do experience. General Choi was hoping to use Mr. Chang Ung's position on the International Olympic Committee to have ITF Taekwon-Do added to the olympics, replacing WTF style Taekwondo.

This caused huge controversy and on June 15, 2002 when General Choi Hong Hi passed away, the issue of the ITF presidency had not been resolved. In the confusion the Vice President of the Vienna based ITF (now known as ITF-V) had declared himself the Interim President of the ITF-V. Meanwhile, General Choi's son, Master Choi Jung Hwa, continued his assertion as president of ITF-C (the suffix initials of V and C were added as a way of distinguishing which ITF system was being referred to).

In addition to ITF-C and ITF-V, Mr. Chang Ung became president of what became known as ITF-NK (for North Korea) splitting the ITF into three separate organizations. Wishing to follow his teacher and founder of the art's wishes, Grand Master Hwang Kwang Sung followed Mr. Chang Ung and supported him as the ITF-NK President.

By early 2004 however, for philosophical reasons, Grand Master Hwang left the ITF-NK. At this point, the UITF (Unified ITF) was formed with Grand Master Hwang as its president. It was so named for Grand Master Hwang's desire to encourage the reunification of all Taekwon-Do as the General had wished to see it and Korea reunited.

Kukkiwon (WTF) History

The Kukkiwon was established in 1973 after General Choi and the ITF headquarters moved to Canada in order oversee the development and promotion of Taekwondo. The Kukkiwon organization created the World Taekwondo Federation, a different style of Taekwondo which went back to its roots in traditional Korean martial arts (i.e. Taek Kyon). The emphasis was put on the feet with minimal hands, and it moved away from the more technical aspects to the sport side or sparring.

In order to clarify, the Kukkiwon is to the WTF style what the ITF is to Ch'ang Hon style. It is the governing body of the WTF style like the ITF is the governing body of the Ch'ang Hon style. The WTF is in charge of all competition aspects of Taekwondo and does not itself issue dan or black belt ranks. In the International Olympic Committee (IOC), it operates under the title International Federation of Taekwondo. It is the Kukkiwon which issues dan or black belt ranks, and the WTF is the only place that they are recognized.